Catalonia: HGV driving ban replaced with an overtaking ban for HGVs

The termination of tolls on the AP-7 and AP-2 motorways from Wednesday, September 1, following the end of both concessions, was used by the Catalan authorities as an opportunity to extend the scope of HGV restrictions that came into force in September 2018 in the provinces of Tarragona, Lleida and Barcelona.

After tolls on the AP-7 motorway were terminated on September 1, the Catalan Transit Directorate (SCT) introduced an HGV driving ban on the motorway which was in effect every Sunday in September to counteract traffic jams.
Since the start of October, the HGV driving ban on the AP-7 motorway has been lifted, as it did not bring the expected results. Therefore, the SCT decided to replace it with a surprising new measure, allowing trucks to use the motorway on Sunday afternoons. However, they can only drive on the right lane of the motorway, at a maximum speed of 80 km/h and without the possibility of overtaking.
The new regulation will apply every Sunday until the end of 2021 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. on the motorway section of about 160 km from 55 KP (Girona) to 216 PK (El Vendrell) in both directions.